36 Secrets
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36 Secrets
T. Susan Chang's 36 Secrets offers a focused and scholarly examination of a specific, yet often overlooked, layer of tarot symbolism: the decanal correspondences. The book's strength lies in its rigorous presentation of this system, clearly laying out the astrological assignments for each minor arcana card. Chang's approach avoids the common pitfalls of vague pronouncements, instead providing a concrete, almost almanac-like, reference. The detail concerning the Golden Dawn's influence is particularly illuminating, situating the Rider-Waite-Smith deck within its esoteric milieu. A potential limitation for some readers might be the sheer density of information; this is less a casual read and more a reference work requiring focused study. The explanation of how the ruling planet of a decan influences the interpretation of a card, such as the Six of Swords, for instance, is a clear example of the book's analytical depth. Chang provides a valuable, if demanding, resource for serious students of tarot and Western esotericism.
📝 Description
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T. Susan Chang's 36 Secrets connects the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot's minor arcana to zodiacal decans.
Published in 2015, 36 Secrets by T. Susan Chang details the astrological correspondences within the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot's minor arcana. The book explains how the numbered cards, from Ace through 10, align with specific decans, which are ten-degree divisions of the zodiac. This system, largely developed in the early 20th century, assigns a unique astrological influence to each of the 36 decans, thereby linking them to the 36 numbered tarot cards. Chang systematically breaks down these connections, providing a framework for understanding these specific astrological influences and their relation to the cards' imagery and meanings. The work is aimed at tarot readers who wish to move beyond surface interpretations and at astrologers looking for new ways to integrate tarot with zodiacal degrees. Students of Western esotericism, particularly those interested in the Golden Dawn's influence on tarot development, will also find value in its structured research. Anyone curious about the symbolic depth of divination tools may find this approach illuminating. The book systematically presents how the numbered cards of the tarot, excluding the court cards, are mapped onto these astrological segments. This detailed examination bridges the visual language of the tarot with the precise divisions of the celestial sphere, offering a coherent system for divination and self-study.
This work situates itself within the tradition of Western esotericism, building upon the Golden Dawn's efforts to systematize the tarot with astrological and Kabbalistic structures. The assignment of decans to the minor arcana, a system that gained prominence in the early 20th century, represents a move toward a more precise and integrated approach to divination. Chang's book examines this specific development, tracing the connections between the visual symbolism of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck and the detailed divisions of the zodiacal wheel. It reflects a broader historical trend in esoteric studies to find coherent, interlocking systems of knowledge.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain a structured understanding of the astrological decans assigned to the Rider-Waite-Smith minor arcana, a system developed by the Golden Dawn, which offers a new interpretive layer beyond standard meanings. • Learn how specific planetary rulers of zodiacal decans, detailed in the book, can add nuanced astrological insight to tarot readings, enhancing your personal practice. • Discover the historical esoteric framework behind the 36 numbered minor arcana cards, providing context for their astrological associations and the Golden Dawn's symbolic architecture.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core astrological connection explored in 36 Secrets?
The book reveals the connection between the 36 numbered minor arcana cards of the tarot and the 36 decans, or ten-degree sections of the zodiac, as developed within Golden Dawn traditions.
Who were the key figures involved in creating this tarot correspondence system?
While Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith are credited with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the decanal correspondences were part of the broader esoteric teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
How does 36 Secrets differ from general tarot guides?
Unlike general guides, 36 Secrets focuses specifically on the astrological decanal system for the minor arcana, offering a deep dive into a precise esoteric layer of interpretation.
Can this book help with understanding astrology itself?
Yes, by linking tarot cards to zodiacal decans and their planetary rulers, the book provides a unique, symbolic entry point into understanding astrological influences and their distribution throughout the year.
What is a 'decan' in the context of this book?
A decan is a ten-degree segment of the zodiac. The book explains how each of the 36 numbered minor arcana cards is assigned to a specific decan, linking it to its astrological rulership.
Is this book suitable for beginners in tarot?
It is best suited for intermediate to advanced tarot students or those with a foundational understanding of astrology, as it delves into complex esoteric correspondences.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Decanal Correspondences
The central theme is the systematic assignment of the 36 numbered minor arcana cards (2 through 10 in each suit) to the 36 decans of the zodiac. This system, largely a product of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, imbues each card with specific astrological influences tied to a ten-degree segment of the zodiac and its ruling planet. Chang meticulously details these pairings, offering a framework for interpreting the minor arcana through an astrological lens that goes beyond the suit and number alone.
Rider-Waite-Smith Archetypes
The book specifically addresses the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, which became the world's most recognized tarot imagery in the 20th century. It explores how the infrastructure of esoteric correspondences, including the decanal system, was developed around this deck by figures associated with the Golden Dawn. Chang examines how these hidden astrological connections enhance the understanding of the visual symbolism created by Pamela Colman Smith under Arthur Edward Waite's direction.
Esoteric Systematization
36 Secrets highlights the trend in early 20th-century Western esotericism towards creating detailed, systematic correspondences between various occult disciplines. The Golden Dawn, in particular, sought to integrate Kabbalah, astrology, and tarot into a coherent framework. This book showcases that effort by detailing the precise astrological mapping of the minor arcana, demonstrating a drive to rationalize and deepen esoteric knowledge.
Astrology and Tarot Integration
The work serves as a bridge between astrology and tarot, two ancient divinatory arts. By revealing the decanal links, Chang shows how the cyclical nature of the zodiac and the influence of planetary rulers can be applied to the interpretation of tarot cards. This integration allows for a richer, more layered understanding of predictive and psychological readings, drawing parallels between celestial movements and symbolic imagery.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The minor arcana of the tarot have an astrological secret: 36 of them, in fact.”
— This opening statement frames the book's core thesis, presenting the decanal correspondences as a fundamental, yet often obscured, layer of meaning within the tarot system.
“In the early 20th century, members of the British secret society of the Golden Dawn created what would become the world's best-known tarot deck: the Rider Waite Smith tarot.”
— This highlights the historical genesis of the deck and its associated esoteric framework, placing the development of the decanal system within a specific time, place, and influential occult organization.
“...and by extension a 10-day section of the calendar.”
— This interpretation emphasizes the practical application of the decanal system, showing how the astrological correspondences can be understood in terms of temporal divisions, making the celestial connections more tangible.
“The work explores the assignment of each minor card numbered 2 through 10 in each of the four suits, to a decan.”
— This is a direct summary of the book's analytical focus, specifying the exact subset of the tarot (numbered minors) and the exact astrological division (decans) that form the subject matter.
💡 Key Ideas
Editorial paraphrase of the work's core concepts — not direct quotes.
They also created an infrastructure of esoteric correspondences around the deck, assigning each minor card numbered 2 through 10 in each of the four suits, to a decan--a 10° section of the zodiac...
This passage articulates the specific mechanism the book will explore: the mapping of tarot cards to zodiacal decans, defining the scope and methodology of Chang's research.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
This work is deeply rooted in the Western Hermetic tradition, specifically the lineage of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It represents a continuation and elaboration of their systematic approach to integrating astrology, Qabalah, and tarot. Chang's book fits within this lineage by meticulously detailing and clarifying the decanal correspondences that the Golden Dawn applied to the minor arcana, thereby reinforcing the structured, intellectual foundation of modern ceremonial magic and esoteric study.
Symbolism
The primary symbols explored are the 36 numbered minor arcana cards and the 36 decans of the zodiac. Each decan is a ten-degree segment of the ecliptic, traditionally associated with specific planetary rulers and influences. By linking each tarot card to a decan, the book imbues the imagery of Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles with nuanced astrological meanings, revealing how celestial cycles and planetary energies are embedded within the tarot's visual language.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary practitioners of Western esotericism, particularly those working with the Rider-Waite-Smith or similar decks, frequently draw upon the decanal system detailed in this book. Astrologers looking for symbolic correspondences and tarot readers seeking deeper astrological integration find this framework invaluable. Schools of magic and divination that emphasize structured, multi-layered symbolism continue to utilize and build upon the correspondences established by the Golden Dawn and expounded upon by Chang.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Tarot enthusiasts seeking to move beyond basic interpretations and engage with the deck's deeper astrological architecture, particularly those familiar with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck. • Students of Western Esotericism interested in the Golden Dawn's systematic approach to integrating astrology and tarot, and how this influenced 20th-century occultism. • Astrologers looking for a symbolic system that links zodiacal degrees and planetary influences to a well-known divinatory tool, offering new perspectives on astrological consultations.
📜 Historical Context
The early 20th century witnessed a surge in the systematization of esoteric knowledge, particularly within groups like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This period saw a concerted effort to integrate astrological, Kabbalistic, and divinatory systems into coherent frameworks. The creation of the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, first published in 1909, was central to this movement. Arthur Edward Waite, a prominent member, and the artist Pamela Colman Smith, also connected to esoteric circles, produced a deck whose imagery was designed to align with these developing symbolic structures. The assignment of decans—ten-degree divisions of the zodiac—to the numbered minor arcana cards was a significant development stemming from this desire for precise astrological mapping. This contrasted with earlier, less astrologically detailed tarot traditions. While figures like Aleister Crowley were also developing their own complex systems (e.g., the Thoth Tarot), the Golden Dawn's approach, as detailed in 36 Secrets, became foundational for much of modern Western esoteric tarot practice.
📔 Journal Prompts
The decanal correspondences of the Six of Swords and its ruling planet, Mercury, in relation to personal transitions.
Reflect on the astrological significance of a specific decan's planetary ruler as it applies to the Ten of Pentacles.
How does the concept of decans, as applied to the minor arcana, alter your perception of astrological timing?
Explore the planetary rulership assigned to the decan of the Knight of Wands and its energetic expression.
Consider the symbolic link between a specific suit's decans and the element associated with that suit.
🗂️ Glossary
Minor Arcana
The 56 cards in a standard tarot deck, typically consisting of four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles), numbered from Ace to 10, plus four court cards. They are often seen as representing daily events and circumstances.
Decan
A division of the zodiac into 36 segments, each spanning ten degrees. Each decan is traditionally associated with a specific planetary ruler and influences, adding a layer of astrological interpretation.
Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot
A highly influential tarot deck first published in 1909, known for its detailed allegorical illustrations of the minor arcana by Pamela Colman Smith, under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite.
Golden Dawn
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a late 19th and early 20th-century British esoteric society that significantly shaped modern Western occultism, particularly through its synthesis of Kabbalah, Hermeticism, and ceremonial magic.
Esoteric Correspondences
Systems of symbolic association that link different elements within esoteric traditions, such as linking planets to tarot cards, colors to Qabalistic paths, or numbers to divine names.
Zodiacal Influence
The perceived energetic or symbolic qualities attributed to the twelve signs of the zodiac and their subdivisions (like decans), which are believed to affect earthly events and human personality.
Astrological Rulership
The assignment of planets to specific signs, decans, or other astrological divisions, indicating the planet's primary influence or dominion over that segment of the celestial sphere.
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